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Kipnis, Indians put extension talks on hold

4/2/13: Jason Kipnis ranges to his left and dives to snare a grounder, then gets to his feet and fires to first for a close out

By Adam Berry
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MLB.com |

ST. PETERSBURG -- Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis confirmed Saturday that he and the Indians have tabled their discussions regarding a long-term extension until the offseason.

Kipnis said both sides had agreed that they would negotiate until Opening Day then not discuss it again until the Indians' season ends. The Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported Friday that those negotiations had ceased.

"Neither side wanted it to be a distraction," Kipnis said Saturday. "We both agreed that we'd put up 'til April 2. Deal gets done, it gets done. If not, it doesn't. It's not the end of the world, either way. I think both sides felt comfortable putting the deadline there."

Kipnis, 26, has registered just more than a year of service time in the Majors, and 2012 was his first full big-league season. He will make $509,400 this year and doesn't figure to become arbitration-eligible until after the 2014 season, at the earliest.

Kipnis posted a .257/.335/.379 batting line in 152 games last season, hitting 14 homers with 76 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. When this season ends, he would be open to resuming talks about a multiyear deal that would keep him in Cleveland.

"There's definitely always a possibility. Always going to keep an open ear to something like that," Kipnis said. "I have no reason not to. Anyone would love to, so we'll just see what happens after this year."

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.